Empowering women to live their healthiest life

My Food ‘N’ Fitness (and baby?) Diaries

So before I get into what I want to talk about today, I just have to share these turkey meatball sub sandwiches I made last night. OH EM GEE. I don’t even say “OMG” … that’s how good these are. I can’t take credit for them (recipe HERE), but just wanted to spread the word and tell you that you must make them pronto.

Ok, moving on from the meatball subs…

Let’s talk blog stuff, mmmkay?

So I realized lately that this little blog has been including quite a few posts re: Hunter, breastfeeding, mommy-hood, etc. Honestly, that was never what I intended. I was hoping to keep it mostly healthy living/food/fitness/daily life posts, but the baby posts just kinda happened.

And you know what? I kinda like it.

I absolutely LOVE being a mom, obviously I LOVE my little Hunter, and being a mom is a part of my life that I am very passionate about. Needless to say, I love talking about it to anyone that will listen (or read).

I’ve also realized that being a new mom comes with a ton of challenges and isn’t always smooth sailing. We moms need as much support as we can get! So my hope is that sharing in my daily adventures and challenges as a mom can possibly help at least a few of you. Even if it doesn’t give you the answers you’re looking for, at least it’ll let you know that you’re not alone.

So what about those of you that don’t have kids, aren’t moms, and/or really have no interest in ever being a mom? That is totally cool too, and I absolutely respect that. And that is also why I try to mix up my post topics as much as possible among food, fitness, daily life, and baby.

Back when I first got pregnant and decided to share my pregnancy updates with you, I considered making my pregnancy/baby posts a whole different tab on my blog so that they wouldn’t be on my home page. But then I realized that this is who I am, this is my life, and you have the choice to read or exit the page. I hope you can respect that.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that nothing is really changing around here. The food, fitness, and daily life posts? Here to stay. The baby/parenting posts? Also here to stay. I love typing up a variety of posts about all my passions, and that most likely will be the case for a good long while.

I am, however, considering changing the title of my blog – ya know, to somehow incorporate the “mom” thing, but I can’t quite figure out what I’m envisioning yet. I’m also a little intimidated by the thought of changing everything (i.e. URL, header, etc.). We’ll see though.

Which post topic is YOUR favorite – food, fitness, daily life, or baby? Any creative blog name ideas to incorporate “baby” or “mom” in with my passions for food and fitness?

I love it all! I think your log has a great mix of things that I enjoy reading. I understand not wanting to change your blog just because your life changed, but motherhood changes your life. I would think it would be near impossible not to blog about that cute little man 😉

Honestly? I love the fact that your blog has taken this shift in focus. There are a million “healthy living blogs” out there, so I say, make the change! I love reading about your adventures of being a mommy, because I hope to be one in the future. You’re realistic, and even if it’s not smooth sailing every day (is it ever?) it’s obvious that being is mother is what you’ve been put on this Earth to do! Whatever your focus, I’ll still be reader! xo

I actually love the shift in your posts to include your new life role as a mother! I, too, have taken on this new role since my daughter was born back in May. Your blog is definitely one of my favorites; I look forward to reading every day and appreciate your honesty in your posts! Keep doing what you’re doing! 🙂 Brittany

Obviously, not having a baby, the food and fitness posts are technically a little more relevant, but I like the baby posts too, because it’s more about YOU and your life! I think you should write about whatever comes naturally! I’ll be here to read either way 🙂

you’ve already given support to this new mama 🙂 I’ve loved reading your pregnancy updates since you started them, I’m glad you are not stopping! Daily life and baby posts are my favs, but I do enjoy the fitness ones – gives me ideas for things to do when I’m cleared to workout 🙂

I love your posts lately – I feel like they’ve had a little bit of everything. Being a new mom with a baby two months behind you of course I love Hunter posts and what I can look forward too! But I feel everything is very well rounded on here with food, fitness and daily life as well!

I’m not even close to having kids yet, but I must say I’ve been surprised by how much I have enjoyed following your journey. It’s so nice to hear candid feedback and advice from someone around the same age about this stuff for when that day comes. That said, I love the mixture of posts lately! I don’t think you necessarily have to change your blog name (if you don’t want to – maybe just create a new tagline in your header to add something about being a mom)?

Love that photo of you and Hunter! I’ve been reading your blog since before you got pregnant. I’m not a mom myself or even close, but I’ve absolutely enjoyed reading about your pregnancy and now motherhood. It doesn’t bother me one bit. I really like it!

I honestly don’t think you need to change your blog title unless it really bugs you. My blog was originally started to talk about overcoming perfectionism, but that topic only comes up once in a while now as my blogging has morphed more into the healthy living/fitness kind of blog. But I still think my title fits, you know?

I’m a new mom with a 3 week old baby and
I love reading all things baby on your blog. I
have even gone back into the archives to read
some posts. It helps so much knowing we all
have struggles in learning our new role as mommy
to a precious little one

I love the Hunter updates!! My twins are just over 4 months so its really interesting to how things are going with you and Hunter considering they are very close in age (march 28th!) I love your post baby body updates as well since I’m currently trying to get my body back!
I will continue to read, no matter what changes you make! You’re a mom now and I think you have to embrace that!

Those meatball subs look awesome and would definitely be a winner in my house! I gotta try them! 🙂

Although I am not ready for kids yet, I still enjoy reading yor baby update posts and following your life! Things change as we grow and I think you should definitely blog about what you love-including Hunter! 🙂 My blog has changed a lot over time too and I don’t think I fall into a single category. In fact, I am starting to lean more into doing fashion and home decorating posts, but the truth is I love a variety of topics and I want to write about them all!

I love reading about you and baby hunter and how you handle it all. I don’t have children now, but I plan to within the next 5 years and I’m sure anything I learn from you and your experience will help me. Keep it up! Plus – Hunter is wicked cute!

I LOVE it. I find that I enjoy reading blogs regarding situations that I am currently gong through. Right now I am very much into pregnancy/mommy blogs because it helps me to not feel alone/feel normal/etc. I love reading about kids and mommyhood adventures. And I’m not going to lie, my blog is probably going to be more “life” focuses or “family” focused once I have the girls. It just makes sense!

I really don’t understand how you COULDN’T talk about Hunter considering he has come in and completely changed your life! I love reading your posts regardless of the topic! One because it’s awesome to see a christian woman who can see the balance between exercise life (working on that one!) and two because I want to be a mother one day myself! And I think your little Hunter is adorable!

I like all of your posts. Maybe consider changin the name to something simple like “Life of Ashley” or something that just conveys that the blog is about all aspects of your life, not just food and fitness and not just kids.

You know I love your baby-related posts. Since my little one is just a few weeks younger than Addie, I can relate to those posts. And to be honest, I’m not nearly as interested in fitness as I used to be (sad but true), so I’m going to be more interested in your life/baby/food posts than the fitness ones. But I’m sure there are others who will prefer your fitness posts! Just keep doing what YOU love … that’s all that matters!! 🙂

I love reading your posts whether they are about food, fitness or Hunter! I also try to balance between family, fitness and food on my blog and sometimes feel like I’m losing readers on certain days but I’ve also gotten a lot of feedback from non-moms who say they enjoy my Love Nugget posts 🙂 I was doing a Toddler Tuesday link up for awhile but haven’t in a few months. Thinking about bringing it back but I still try to do my toddler related post on Tuesdays so I’m not overloading my readers with kid topics throughout the week.

I think that’s a great idea. A blog should evolve with the person that writes it and you are a mom now– you can’t completely disregard the biggest part of your life and days! As a new mom myself, I love reading about your journey through motherhood, but also enjoy the other stuff too. Basically, don’t change a thing from what you’re doing now!

I love your posts!! I am into fitness and healthy living, I appreciate the recipes, the ideas you have, and I just had a baby in Feb so I DEF appreciate reading all about your posts on baby Hunter!! Food Fitness n Baby Diaries it is!!! I love it!! 🙂

I’ve always enjoyed your blog, and I’m going to keep enjoying it with more of the baby focus. I’m not at that stage in my life yet, but i’m definitely learning so much for when I get to that stage in my life! I love how you manage to balance Hunter posts with a more food and fitness focus – you really are getting the best of both worlds. A blog is meant to share your life, and Hunter is a big part of that…so he deserves to be front and center at least some of the time 😉

I love daily life fo sheezie ;). I don’t say OMG either, but I’m ALL over the ‘oh em gee’ haha or ‘oh my goodness.’

I like that you’re being real and I secretly (not so secretly lol) love that you didn’t make a baby tab and just kept everything right where it is!! Hunter deserves the front page 😉 I hope you think up some beautifully creative name, because I am fresh out of creative juice for lets see, like a few years now haha

I enjoy reading your blog very much. I like how you are mixing up the topics. Plus the mommy topics don’t bother me at all even though I don’t have children. I’m in a period in my life where “I’m talking/thinking” about taking the plunge into becoming a mommy so I love the insight your blog brings to topics that happen to cross my mind. It’s pretty awesome your showing what your passionate about. My vote is to keep doing what your doing!!!!!

I intended on my blog being taken over by baby rocco and pregnancy stuff/mom stuff and I love it too! I really love that you have been doing awesome posts all along with your pregnancy journey and new mom advice!

I think you could add a tagline instead of changing whole name, it is a pain in the butt to do! I changed mine recently to healthy diva life, and it was a pain! I am going to add a different tagline to my page and have a family page!

Honestly, I think it would be a little weird if you didn’t post about your baby. He IS the most important thing in your life now, so it’s to be expected. I like that you write posts about a bunch of different topics – I think the variety is nice and gives your readers a chance to take a peek into “Ashley’s World”, so to speak. I also like your blog more now because it is not always centered around fitness. As important as fitness is, I think you’ve moved on from the days where you were consumed by HITT, supersets, etc. Sometimes I feel like it’s more difficult to relate to the blogs dedicated completely to fitness. I mean, we all strive to be healthy, but when it is the only thing you focus on in your life, you’re missing out on everything else around you.

Thank you for being YOU Ashley … please keep blogging about what interests you most!

I feel like you can write to a certain niche – but most people really enjoy the personal aspects of a blog more than anything. I knew going into it that mine was going to be about more than just running, but at the time running was my focus. Sometimes I do feel like I should write about running MORE because it’s in my blog title, but I think I’m really the only person who cares. Ha ha.

I started reading your blog before you were pregnant, and to be honest, I love hearing updates on Hunter. He is part of your life and so I don’t think it’s something you should not talk about. And….I’m not even a baby person! Sure, I like some babies. But I’m not like lots of other girls I know who are in ahhh at every baby. But I do enjoy reading about Hunter, what you have experienced pregnancy wise, and dealing with motherhood. It will be nice to have a heads up on some of this stuff in case I ever decide to settle down and have a family. It’s also nice because I feel I can understand what my friends are going through who are pregnant and already have kids. They don’t tell me much about motherhood…just that I can’t really understand.

I definitely appreciate your honesty in all your posts. Your fitness, food, and motherhood adventures are something I look forward to reading each day.

Love the mom stuff! (Of course!) So I totally support the shift. You have to make sure you’re blogging about what YOU care about, first and foremost. Your audience might shift around a little bit as your interests do, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Plus, what are the chances that lots of your readers who are babyless right now will be with us on the mom train soon enough? 🙂

I love blogs that share all aspects of life, just like yours! We all change over time, but we are still the same. I like your blog, and like the other suggestions would think about changing the tag line. Just do what feels right – we will still be here!

Hi Ashely! I am pregnant with my first baby and I think about this same topic all the time. I’ve heard some people have separate mommy blogs, but that seems so overwhelming. I feel like motherhood is daily life for you now so it still falls into the same category. I’m also with you on the blog title aspect too! It’s so tough to figure out!

As for changes on the blog – changes are inevitable in life. It would be naive of any readers to think that your focus wouldn’t shift significantly once you became a mom. It’s because your normal is now different. It’s who you are and it’s here to stay. You can’t exactly give the kids back 😉 Thought I have told Emmie I was going to rent her to the circus …

One of my favorite parts about following other health and fitness blogs is the realness of the writers. I like to hear about the whole life experience, and not just the small portion of their daily workouts. I say, “Keep it real,” and that means writing about you AND Hunter and your mommy experiences. 🙂

I’m not a mommy – nowhere close – but I enjoy reading all your posts and perspectives on life. It’s the “real life” talk that I read for – your relatability and your thoughts on your world is why I choose to read. 🙂 Keep doing everything you’re doing – you get a happy thumbs up from this single gal!

I’ve enjoyed reading all of the topics. It is important to talk about what is important to you and of course Hunter is your no.1 priority! Plus, I am sure you are getting alot of good insight/advice. “My food, fitness ‘n’ baby diaries”

I don’t have children yet, but I’ve actually really enjoyed your motherhood posts. I’ve learned a lot about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, etc… from them and I think it’s helped me to understand what the new moms in my life are going through better than I would have otherwise. Also, it may come in handy for me in the future. 😉 Basically, since pregnancy and motherhood have such a huge impact on your food, fitness, and life, talking about it fits right into your blog theme already, imo.

I actually started reading your blog because of your pregnancy posts, and am loving your motherhood posts just as much! I am 32 weeks along with my first baby and feel like a lot of your readers are probably coming into a time in their lives where these topics are more and more relevant. Keep it up!

Honestly, I LOVE your Hunter/Baby posts! Even though I’m not a mother myself, I’ve found that the blogs that I connect the most with are the ones where I get little glimpses of the blogger’s life. Hunter is your whole world, and I absolutely love getting to read about him and your journey 🙂

I love all your baby posts! My daughter is 6 days younger then Hunter so I love reading how you are dealing with the same things as me. Do you know of any other blogs with babies the same age as ours? I promise yours will still be my favorite 🙂

I love just reading about your day to day activities and thoughts. I’m not a mom and not pregnant, but I still find what you write in regard to pregnancy and motherhood really interesting. I say keep on doing what you’re doing!

I love your blog! I am not a mom but one day hope to be and I enjoy all of your post. With so many other mom based blogs things seem very perfect but I like how you keep things truthful and real and it is very refreshing to read that.

Hunter is such a big part of your life, why shouldn’t he be included in your blog? It’s who you are, and I think that is awesome that you are including it. I’m not planning on kids ANY time soon, but I love reading about your new mommy adventures! 🙂